I believe it’s because of a good spiritual foundation that we can strive to overcome temptation. Temptation can come from all different directions. Often
it is when we are tired, weak, have no strength, or when we are in a physical, emotional, or spiritual need. It comes on the spiritual crossroads. The enemy of our soul tempts us to sin and rebel against the Lord, especially after a spiritual victory. Satan speaks in the language offear and doubt into our hearts even after a spiritual victory. Temptations have one goal: to get you to sin.
In the gospel today, Jesus also experienced human condition in three heavy temptations: eating, riches, and power. He brought his humanity along with our humanity into the challenges of life. In the trial and temptation, Jesus drew the strength from God through his Word to overcome these trials. This image evokes for us, who are living amid life´s hardships, the necessity of clinging to God. For this is also what experienced in his victory amid trials and tribulations: “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? … No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” (Romans 8:35-37).
In the end, Jesus won a glorious victory. Temptations and trials persisted throughout his life, as the Bible says (Lk 4:13). Throughout His life, Jesus experienced the inner battle between good and evil just like us. God’s victory tells us that Jesus is more powerful than sin and Satan. With Him, we can overcome any obstacle that we wouldn’t do on our own. Therefore, our lives always have challenges to fight; each person has unique circumstances. Only fighting the force of the trials and temptations of life does not disappoint us; on the contrary, it is an urgent call for God’s mercy. In the face of the “evil” of sin, the doubt if human endurance can handle the challenges, we look to God to receive mercy from Him.
Looking at the image of Christ being tested and winning over temptation, we are called to face the most difficult situations with perseverance. Jesus conquered all temptations in life only because He knew that He was the Son, always wanting to do what was pleasing to the Father and so are we!